Sandstone's Heavy Haulage Department prepares for another week on the road.
It has often been said in Preservation circles that the people with the big rigs inevitably make the biggest contribution to Preservation. How true is that. Unfortunately with the diesel price rising inexorably this is becoming ever more difficult to put into practise. Sandstone operates three big long haul trucks.
Our Soyas have all been harvested successfully.
The yields were lower than average because we had a 6-week drought in February and March which set them back. However, the quality is high and with the Soya Bean price on the rise it had a successful commercial outcome.
Our photos below show the different phases of the Soya Bean harvest.
The farm is not a farm without animals.
The picture below shows wild Springbok in the Soya Beans. They cause no damage and bring great delight to those who have the good fortune to see them co-existing with an arable farming operation.
Our wheat has enjoyed almost no rain since we planted it in June and July...
The total amount doesn’t even exceed 20-mms. The average rainfall per rain event is between 1-3 mms. Notwithstanding this our wheat is holding up well but we have reached the stage where the yield will be severely compromised through lack of moisture.
Sandstone's gardens
The farm staff are working hard to improve the gardens. The paltry amount of rain we have had year to date is worrying and it is putting strain on the farm in all areas.
A rain dance ceremony is being contemplated.
Sandstone’s wildlife continues to co-exist very well with normal day-to-day farming operations.
Sandstone airport sign restored.
Our vandalised Airport sign has now been restored on the farm as can be seen from the photographs below.
This year's wheat crop.
3 October 2011
This year’s wheat is looking good. We started with excellent residual moisture and the rains, although limited thus far, came on a timely basis.
Wheat planting has commenced
Notwithstanding the extensive flooding we still have some areas which we are able to plant. Although Sandstone typically plants in the region of 2,000 ha of wheat per annum we have been reduced to about 500 ha this year.
The rains are back!
The farm is still under water as can be seen from the photographs below.
